Scoop loader attachment



Dec. 20, 1960 J. w. POULTER ET AL 2,965,253

SCOOP LOADER ATTACHMENT Filed July 30, 1957 '3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR S (/0411 /4. ea/fer Kemreffi 1/ (/Mmm Dec. 20, 1960 J. w. POULTER ETAL 2,965,253

SCOOP LOADER ATTACHMENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 30, 1957 INVENTORS (425 W Pau/zer ATTO/P/Vf Dec. 20, 1960 J. w, P U TE ETAL 2,965,253

SCOOP LOADER ATTACHMENT Filed July 30, 1957 two double boom sections.

United States Patent SCOOP LOADER ATTACHMENT John W. Poulter, Wauwatosa, and Kenneth V. Johnson,

Milwaukee, Wis., assignors to Koehring Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed July 30, 1957, Ser. No. 675,136

Claims. (Cl. 214-138) The invention relates to scoop loader attachments for use on a support or base machine which is ordinarily adapted for shovel, crane or related attachments.

It relates more specifically to hydraulically and mechanically operated scoop loader attachments having a bucket that can be moved horizontally for loading without necessity of forward movement of the vehicle or machine on which the attachment is mounted.

A base machine of the type used with shovel, crane or related attachments, because of its size and weight, is not adapted for high maneuverability. The basic function of such a device is to provide a sturdy supporting framework for the attachments used therewith and to provide a platform for the machinery needed for operation of the attachments. The high initial investment for .a base machine of this type makes it extremely desirable to keep it producing or working at all times. Thus, the greater the variety of attachments available to a machine owner, the greater the variety of jobs on which he can keep the machine profitably employed.

Therefore one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an attachment for a shovel-crane base machine which will increase the versatility of said machine.

Another object is to provide a scoop loader attachment for a shovel-crane base machine which will enable said base machine to function the same as or better than stand ard scoop loader machines.

Another object is to provide for a shovel-crane base machine a compact scoop loader attachment, the bucket of which is capable of horizontal movement for filling and cleanup while the supporting or base machine remains stationary.

A further object is to provide for a shovel-crane base machine a horizontal crowd action scoop loader attachment wherein adjustments in the supporting tackle arrangement are unnecessary during the crowding action.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter readily appear to those skilled in the art.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which show a preferred embodiment of the invention:

' Fig. l is a perspective view of a partially extended scoop loader attachment embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the scoop loader attachment fully extended.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view, showing the attachment in a raised or dumping position.

Fig. 4 is a partially schematic top plan view of the scoop loader attachment.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are schematic side views illustrating the sequence of operation of the new scoop loader attachment, and

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a suitable hydraulic system for use with the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4;

.. The scoop loader attachment is basically comprised of The inner boom section 11 ice is comprised of two longitudinal members 12 and two transverse members 13. Each of the longitudinal members 12 at their inner ends are pivotally mounted on the shovel-crane base machine 1 at points 2. The outer ends of longitudinal members 12 are adapted for pivotal connection with two rigid link members 15 at points 16. Intermediate the ends of the inner boom 11 there is a pivotal connection for the outer boom 21 at points 27.

The outer boom section 21 is comprised of two longitudinal members 22 and a transverse member 23, said transverse member having an angular upright extension 24 on which is mounted sheaves 26. It is pivotally mounted at its inner end to the inner boom at points 27. At its outer end it is adapted for pivotally mounting a bucket support 31.

The bucket support 31 is comprised of two laterally spaced arcuate arms 32 and a transverse member 33. Intermediate the ends the arcuate arms 32 are pivotally mounted to the outer boom section 21 at points 35. The upper ends of the arcuate arms 32 are pivotally connected to the outer ends of the rigid link members 15 at points 34. The lower ends of the arcuate arms 32 are adapted for pivotally mounting a suitable bucket, such as scoop bucket 41, by means of lugs 42 on the rear portion of said bucket (Figs. 3, 4).

Bucket 41 is of conventional design and can be moved relative to the bucket support 31 by actuation of the hydraulic ram 55. Transverse member 33 of bucket support 31 is adapted at its mid-portion for pivotally mounting the ram 55 at points 57 (Fig. 4). The piston rod 58 of said ram is pivotally mounted to brackets centrally positioned on the rear portion of the bucket 41 at point 59 (Fig. 4).

The bucket is moved outward and inward by movement of the outer boom section relative to the inner boom section. Two double acting hydraulic rams 51 are used for this purpose. The ram cylinders 52 are pivotally connected to the inner boom section at points 53 and the piston rods 54 are pivotally connected to the bucket support at points 36 (Fig. 4), which lie coaxially with outer boom points 35.

To maintain the bucket 41 at a predetermined angular position relative to the ground as it is moved outwardly and inwardly, the side arms 32 of the bucket support 31 are connected to the inner boom 11 by link members 15. This linkage, in combination with the outer boom arms 21, maintains the bucket support and the bucket attached thereto in the same angular position relative to the ground regardless of relative positions of the inner and outer boom.

An important feature of this scoop loader attachment is that it makes use of the winch cable already on the shovel-crane base machine. The cable both supports the attachment and stabilizes the machine during outward crowding movement of the bucket as will hereinafter be explained. The same cable functions to raise and lower the entire attachment relative to the base machine.

The cable 3 is reeved from a winch-drum 4 on the shovel-crane base machine 1 (said winch-drum being of the conventional type, powered and operated by conventional means (not shown)). It passes over one of two sheaves 5 mounted on a gantry or jib frame 6, then forward and around one of two sheaves 26 mounted on the angularextension of the outer boom, then rearward and around the other sheave 5, then forward and around the other sheave 26, then rearward where it is clamped to the shaft supporting sheaves 5 at point 7.

The jib frame 6 is pivotally mounted to the shovelcrane base machine at 8 and is supported in an upright position by a sheave arrangement 9 and cable means 10 connected to a winch-drum (not shown).

In order to obtain straight line movement of the lower end of the outer boom as the latter is pivotally moved relative to the inner boom 11 the elevation of the pivotal connection 27 has to be varied in proportion to the movement of the outer boom about said pivot. In the disclosed construction, the elevation of the pivot is varied automatically and without necessity for making constant adjustments in the length of the supporting cable. This is accomplished by mounting the support sheaves 26 on the angular extension 24 of the outer boom at a point outward from pivots 27 and the base machine so that when the outer boom is moved relatively to the inner boom the eifective distance between sheaves and pivots 27 is varied by varying the efiective portion of the extension 24. In other words, the relative movement of outer boom 21 is reflected by the movement of angular extension 24 and causes a change in the included angle between the angular extension 24 and cable 3. Thus an increase in that included angle increases the distance between sheaves 5 and pivots 27, and since sheaves 5 are fixed relative to the base machine, pivots 27 are extended outwardly and downwardly therefrom. When the included angle is decreased, the converse is true i.e.,' the distance between sheaves 5 and pivots 27 is decreased and pivots 27 are brought inwardly and upwardly. The resulting variation in the elevation of the pivot points 27 modifies the movement of the bucket assembly which would otherwise be only movement in an are about pivot 27. As previously described, the links 15 and the pivotally mounted side arms 32 make further compensation in bucket angular position. The net result is that the bucket moves along a substantially straight path.

If the supporting sheaves 26 were not mounted outwardly of the boom pivots 27, continuous adjustments in the cable 3 would be necessary to avoid purely arcuate movement of the bucket. Instead the winch-drum 4 is locked when the herein disclosed attachment is placed in loading position by retracting the outer boom, and it can remain locked during the crowding cycle. The cable length between sheaves 5 and 26 then remains constant during the loading action, the compensating action being provided by the movement of the support point or sheaves 26 toward and away from the boom 11.

As before mentioned the cable attached to the outer boom also is used to stabilize the machine. As the bucket is moved outwardly by the compressive force of the rams 52 a tension is exerted on cable 3. Thus the cable acts to overcome the compression forces at pivot points 2 which tend to tip the base machine backwards.

After the loading cycle is completed the entire attachment is raised and lowered by reeling the cable 3 in or out.

Fig. 8 shows schematically a conventional hydraulic system for actuating the crowd rams 51 and the tilt ram 55. It includes conventional valves 60,. 61 well known in the art for control of flow of the hydraulic fluid, the valve 66 controlling flow of hydraulic flluid to hydraulic rams 51, and the valve 61 controlling flow of hydraulic fluid to hydraulic ram 55. The system also includes conventional check valves 62 and 63, a pump 64, relief valve 65 and a reservoir or tank 66. i

The details of construction of the hydraulic system as well as the flexible hose connections to the hydraulic cylinders are not specifically illustrated in any of the drawings because they are well known in the art.

Having described the structure of an exemplary scoop loader attachment representing the invention, a complete cycle of its operation will now be described:

By placing valve 69 in position so that hydraulic fluid is pumped to the retract side of the hydraulic rams 51, the boom assemblies 11, and 21; link members 15, and the bucket support 31 are folded to assume the position preparatory to crowding or movement of the bucket forward.

As shown in Fig. 5 the inner boom assembly 11, 12 in 4 this position, projects in an upward and outward direction, while the outer boom assembly 21, 22 extends downwardly with its lower ends adjacent the forward side of the base machine.

With the attachment in this position the Winch-drum 4 is locked. The valve 61 is used to adjust the position of hydraulic ram 55 so that the lower edge of the bucket 41 is parallel to the ground or surface S.

Valve 60 is then positioned to pump hydraulic fluid to the crowding side of rams 51. This action forces the bucket 41 outward in a substantially straight line and into any material that is to be loaded into the bucket.

During thisentire forward movement of the attachment, adjustment in length of cable 3 is unnescessary. The operator of the shovel-crane base machine need only actuate rams 51 to obtain straight line loading action of the attachment. He may also make such adjustments with the ram 55 as are necessary to obtain an efiicient filling of the bucket.

With the scoop loader attachment extended and the bucket 41 filled, the entire attachment may be raised as a unit by reeling in the cable 3, the booms 11, 21 and the rams 51 forming a rigid truss-like member (Fig. 6'). With the attachment at its maximum height (Fig. 7) or at any intermediate height, the bucket may be partially unloaded or dumped completely by using valve 61 to efiect further adjustment in ram 55.

To return the scoop loader attachment to its original position the above processes are reversed. Retraction of rams 51, 55 and unreeling cable 3 can of course be done simultaneously.

It is to be understood that the extension or retraction of rams 51 can be accomplished when the attachment is in a raised, lowered or in any intermediate position; and the cable 3 may be used to raise or lower the attachment when it is fully retracted, fully extended or in any intermediate position. The angle of the bucket 41 relative to the bucket support 31 can also be changed during movement of the attachment or at any position of the attachment by actuation of ram 55.

It is aso to be understood that by reason of the mounting on the rotating turntable of a shovel-crane base machine the entire scoop loader attachment may be rotated through 360" in its raised, lowered or any intermediate position.

What is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A scoop loader attachment for a shovel-crane base machine having a winch drum and cable assembly, said scoop loader attachment comprising, an inner boom adapted for pivotal mounting on said base machine; an outer boom pivotally connected at its upper end to said inner boom; a scoop bucket facing outwardly from said base machine; means for pivotally mounting said bucket at the lower end of said outer boom, said means including link and arm means for varying the angular relationship between said bucket and said outer boom as they are moved relatively to said inner boom; hydraulic ram means interposed between said bucket and said bucket mounting means for selectively eifecting tilting adjustments of said bucket; hydraulic ram means positioned to exert a compressive force between said base machine and said outer boom for eitecting outward movements of the latter; and means on said attachment for effecting a supporting and lifting connection with the winch cable on said base machine, said last-mentioned means including an outward angular extension on said outer boom and sheave means for receiving said winch cable mounted on said extension upwardly and outwardly from the inner boom--outer boom pivotal connection whereby upon outward arcuate movement of said outer boom about said connection there will be automatically provided an offsetting change in the elevation of said pivotal connection for eflecting bucket movement along a substantially straight line path in a generally horizontal direction.

2. A scoop loader attachment for a shovel-crane base machine having a winch drum and cable assembly, said scoop loader attachment comprising, an inner boom adapted for pivotalmounting on said base machine; an outer boom pivotally connected at its upper end to said inner boom; a scoop bucket; means for pivotally mounting said bucket at the lower end of said outer boom, said means including link and arm means for varying the angular relationship between said bucket and said outer boom as they are moved relatively to said inner boom; hydraulic ram means positioned to exert a compressive force between said base machine and said outer boom for effecting outward movements of the latter; and means on said attachment for effecting a supporting and lifting connection with said base machine, said lastmentioned means including an outward angular extension on said outer boom and sheave means for receiving said winch cable mounted on said extension upwardly and outwardly from the inner boomouter boom pivotal connection whereby upon outward arcuate movement of said outer boom about said connection there will be automatically provided an offsetting change in the elevation of said pivotal connection for effecting bucket movement along a substantially straight line path in a generally horizontal direction.

3. A scoop loader attachment for a shovel-crane base machine having a winch drum and cable assembly, said scoop loader attachment comprising, an inner boom adapted for pivotal mounting on said base machine; an outer boom pivotally connected at its upper end to said inner boom; a scoop bucket; means for pivotally mounting said bucket at the lower end of said outer boom, said means including link and arm means for varying the angular relationship between said bucket and said outer boom as they are moved relatively to said inner boom; hydraulic ram means positioned to exert a compressive force between said base machine and said outer boom for efiecting outward movements of the latter; and means on said attachment for effecting a supporting and lifting connection with said base machine, said last-mentioned means including sheave means for receiving said winch cable mounted on said outer boom upwardly and outwardly from the inner boomouter boom pivotal connection whereby upon outward arcuate movement of said outer boom about said connection there will be auto matically provided an ofisetting change in the elevation of said pivotal connection for efiecting bucket movement along a substantially straight line path in a generally horizontal direction.

4. A scoop loader attachment for a shovel-crane base machine having a winch drum and cable assembly, said scoop loader attachment comprising, an inner boom adapted for pivotal mounting on said base machine; an outer boom pivotally connected at its upper end to said inner boom; a scoop bucket;'means for pivotally mounting said bucket at the lower end of said outer boom; hydraulic ram means positioned to exert a compressive force between said base machine and said outer boom for effecting outward movements of the latter; and means on said attachment for effecting a supporting and lifting connection with said base machine, said last-mentioned means including means for receiving said winch cable mounted on said outer boom upwardly and outwardly from the inner boom-outer boom pivotal connection whereby upon outward arcuate movement of said outer boom about said connection there will be automatically provided an olfsetting change in the elevation of said pivotal connection for effecting bucket movement along a substantially straight line path in a generally horizontal direction.

5. A scoop loader attachment for a shovel-crane base machine having an adjustable attachment support mem her, said scoop loader attachment comprising, an inner boom adapted for pivotal mounting on said base machine; an outer boom pivotally connected at its upper end to the upper end of said inner boom; a scoop bucket; means for pivotally mounting said bucket at the lower end of said outer boom, said means including link and arm means for varying the angular relationship between said bucket and said outer boom as they are moved relatively to said inner boom; hydraulic ram means interposed between said bucket and said bucket mounting means for selectively efiecting adjustments in the angular position of said bucket; hydraulic ram means positioned to exert a compressive force between said base machine and said outer boom for effecting outward movements of the latter; and means on said attachment for etfecting a supporting and lifting connection with the adjustable support member of said base machine, said last-mentioned means including an outward angular extension on said 'outer boom and means thereon for eifecting a connection with said support member upwardly and outwardly from the inner-boorn-outer boom pivotal connection whereby upon outward arcuate movement of said outer boom about said pivotal connection there will be automatically provided an offsetting change in the elevation of said pivotal connection for effecting bucket movement along a substantially straight line path in a generally horizontal direction.

6. A scoop loader attachment for a base machine having an adjustable attachment support member, said scoop loader attachment comprising, an inner boom adapted for pivotal mounting about a horizontal axis on said base machine; an outer boom pivotally connected at its upper end to the upper end of said inner boom for swinging movement from a downwardly extending direction to an outwardly extending direction; a scoop bucket; adjustable means for mounting said bucket at the lower end of said outer boom in an outwardly facing bucket position; hydraulicram means positioned to exert a compressive force between said base machine and said outer boom foreffecting outward movements of the latter; and means on said attachment for effecting a supporting and lifting connection with the adjustable support member of said base machine, said last-mentioned means including an outward angular extension on said outer boom and means thereon for eflt'ecting a connection with said support member upwardly and outwardly from the inner boom-outerboom' pivotal connection whereby upon outward arcuate movement of said outer boom about said pivotal connection there will be automatically provided an offsetting change in the elevation of said pivotal connection for etfecting bucket movement along a substantially straight line path.

7. A loader attachment comprising, a boom having an inner section adapted for pivotal mounting on a relatively stationary base, an outer section and a pivotal connection between said sections for swing of said outer section from a folded, downwardly extending position relative to said inner section to an outwardly extending position; a materials receiving element mounted on said outer section; rigid link means for automatically varying the angular relationship between said element and said outer section so as to maintain relatively stationary the angle said element defines with its path of movement relative to said inner boom section; said outer boom section being adapted to position said materials receiving element adjacent the ground line of said base when said outer boom is in folded position; hydraulic ram means interposed between said inner and outer boom sections for effecting outward and inward movements of said materials receiving element about said pivotal connection; and support means for said attachment including means on said outer boom section adapted for connection to a tension support member and positioned on said outer boom section together with means adapted for positioning the inner end portion of said tension support member upwardly from the pivotal mounting of said inner boom section so as to effect; an automatic change in the elevation of saidpivotal connection upon change in the angular relationship between said tension support member and said outer boom Section, whereby bodily movement of said materials receiving element is obtained along a substantially straight line upon arcuate movement thereof about said pivotal Connection.

8. A loader attachment comprising, a boom having an inner section, an outer section and a pivotal connection therebetween for pivotal movement of said outer section from a folded generally downwardly extending position relative to said inner section to an outwardly extending position; a materials receiving element mounted on said outer section for receiving material upon outward move ment; power actuated means interposed between said inner and outer boom sections for efiecting outward and inward movements of said materials receiving element about said pivotal connection; and support means for said attachment including means on said outer boom section adapted for connection to a tension support member and positioned on said outer boom section so as to eifect an automatic change in the elevation of said pivotal connection upon change in the angular relationship between said tension support member and said outer boom section whereby bodily movement of said materials receiving element is obtained along a substantially straight line in a substantially horizontal direction upon arcuate movement thereof about said pivotal connection.

9. A scoop loader comprising a shovel-crane base machine having a winch drum and cable assembly, a boom including an inner boom section pivotally mounted on said base machine and an outer boom section pivotally connected to said inner boom section; a scoop bucket; hydraulically adjustable means for mounting said bucket at the lower endof said outer section; a pair of hydraulic rams connected between said inner boom section mounting and the lower end of said outer boom section for efiecting outward and inward movements of the latter; and means on said attachment for effecting a supporting and lifting connection with the winch cable on said base machine, said last-mentioned means including an outward angular extension on said outer boom and sheave means for receiving said winch cable mounted on said extension upwardly and outwardly from the inner boom-outer boom pivotal connection whereby upon outward arcuate movement of said outer boom about said connection there will: be automatically provided an off-setting change in the elevation of said pivotal connection for effecting bucket movement along a substantially straight line path in a substantially horizontal direction withoutv adjustment in the length of the attachment supporting cable. and without movement of the base machine.

10. A scoop loader attachment for use with a base machine having a winch drum and cable assembly, said attachment comprising, an articulated boom having pivotally interconnected inner and outer sections; doubleacting hydraulic ram means interposed between said sections for moving one section relatively to the other; means on said inner boom section for efiecting a pivotal mounting of the attachment on a base machine; a scoop bucket; meanson said outer boom section for mounting at its outer end said'scoop bucket; power actuated means cooperable with said bucket mounting means for selectively making angular adjustments in the position of said bucket; means connected to said bucket mounting means and to said inner boom for automatically changing the angular relationship between said bucket mounting means and said outer boom section in accordance with changes in the angular relationship between said outer boom section and the inner boom section; and means on said attachment for effecting a supporting and lifting connection between said outer boom section and the, winch cable on a base machine whereby said cable may be used for support of the attachment during filling movements, of the bucket and for raising the attachment to permit elevated dumping of the bucket, said support and lifting connection being at a point positioned outwardly from the pivotal connection between said inner and outer boom sections, said last mentioned connection and said means for changing the angular relationship of said bucket being adapted for guiding the digging edge of said scoop bucket in a substantially horizontal path upon outward relative movement of said outer boom section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,718,312 Pilch Sept. 20, 1955 2,776,060 Compton Jan. 1, 1957 2,789,712 Christensen Apr. 23, 1957 2,812,872 Perkins Nov. 12, 1957 2,820,555 Lessman Jan. 21, 1958 2,853,201 Davidson et a1. Sept. 23, 1958 

